He graduated from Peking University in 1964. He worked as a diplomat in Africa before becoming Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1990 and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1995, ambassador to the United States in 1998, and Foreign Minister in 2003.

He was initially appointed as one of the Elders but chose not to continue with the role. He is a professor at Peking University. He is married, and has one son.